Two of UCL's most pioneering basic technology projects have been awarded grants
totalling £5.4 million in the latest round of funding from the Government's
Basic Technology Programme. The programme supported by Research Councils UK
was set up to assist in the development of fundamental new technologies that
will change the face of scientific, engineering and technology endeavour in
Britain over the next 20 years.

In an ambitious four year project (the first of its kind in the world) Professor
Marshall Stoneham FRS, UCL Massey Professor and Director of the Centre for Materials
Research will attempt to put the Quantum into Information Technology. He proposes
to design, manufacture and implement linked quantum gates, the basic components
of a future quantum computer, using processes consistent with silicon technology
and capable of operation at room temperature. If successful, these quantum information
devices will revolutionise future generations of personal computers.

A second project, led by Professor Sally Price from UCL's Department of Chemistry
aims to develop a computational method of predicting the possible crystal structures
(polymorphs) of a molecule, perhaps before it even is synthesised. This ground-breaking
research will benefit all industries involved in the manufacture of organic
materials - from chocolate to pharmaceuticals. The project is multi-disciplinary
and will result in the ability to predict when polymorphism is likely as well
as developing the technology for characterising the polymorphs to help manufacturers
control the polymorph produced.

Both these projects combine an interdisciplinary approach with a high degree
of collaboration amongst world-class research expertise in the UK. To celebrate
the £5.4 million grant, UCL will be hosting an event at the University of London's
Senate House on Tuesday 28th January 2003 from 1pm - 4pm. The event is aimed
at increasing awareness of the Government's Basic Technology Programme. Both
UCL projects are potentially high value research pipelines for future UK commercial
exploitation and are the focus of great intellectual excitement worldwide.

Notes to Editors:

The event to celebrate the £5.4 million grant will be held at Chancellors
Hall, University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU on
Tuesday 28th January 2003 from 1pm - 4pm. The event will include briefings
from Professor Stoneham and Professor Price. To attend the briefings or arrange
an interview with either Professor Stoneham or Professor Price

The EPSRC is overseeing the Basic Technology Research Programme on behalf
of all the Research Councils. The Research Councils involved in the Programme
are: The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) The
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) The Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council (EPSRC) The Medical Research Council (MRC) The Natural Environment
Research Council (NERC) The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
(PPARC) More information regarding the Basic Technology Programme can be found
here.